Shang Changge: ...?

Goodness, such a powerful and intimidating aura! Who is the villain?

The man was excessively tall and imposing; Shang Changge estimated him to be at least 1.98 meters tall.

The lights were bright enough to clearly see that the person who arrived had a handsome face, but his expression was cold and aloof.

Seemingly noticing the whispers and commotion, he glanced over, but his expression remained unchanged, as if he were already used to it.

His gaze swept through the crowd, finally settling on Shang Changge, who was being fawned over and placed at the very front.

Shang Changge raised an eyebrow, having already searched her memory for the man's name.

......

......

An eerily quiet atmosphere descended, and after a brief moment of silence and eye contact, the man moved.

His movement caused another flurry of panicked gasps from the young ladies and gentlemen.

"Brother Yuan, what should we do? The General is coming!" "Don't pinch me! How should I know I'm about to collapse? I'm more scared than you are!"

"I shouldn't have come tonight, boohoo." "Little Xinlian, don't cry. I heard the General hates people crying..."

Similar whispers rose and fell.

Shang Changge even heard several people taking steps backward in succession. As the person in charge of the script,

She knew, of course, why these people were so afraid of the man approaching them—it was a great general.

He was a great general who could fight against a hundred men single-handedly and killed countless people, earning him the title of "God of Slaughter." The origin of this title...

This stems from the fact that he massacred a city, and that this general is only 28 years old this year.

Even though it was an enemy city,

It was based on military orders given under the circumstances of the war at the time, even though the general had made numerous military achievements and was known as a war god before that battle.

Although the Qingyan Dynasty has enjoyed six consecutive years of peace and stability since that battle, with no enemy country daring to invade its borders and no wars fought,

However, this did not prevent him from being known as the God of Slaughter by the people of the world after that, becoming someone that everyone feared and even children cried upon hearing.

"Greetings, Princess."

"I was delayed on the way, so I am late. I hope the princess will forgive me."

The voice is magnetic and steady, characteristic of a mature man, and his demeanor is composed.

Because of his height, even bowing down, he was a head taller than Shang Changge.

Having lived two lives and been over 170cm tall, Shang Changge finally got to experience the perspective of a pampered young wife. He declined the formalities.

His gaze never left the person in front of him, and he waited until the person straightened up before calling out the person's name.

"Xiao Ji".

Xiao Ji: "Your subject is here."

Like the previous two lines, aside from the respect due to a subject, there was no other emotional fluctuation; it was quite cold and aloof.

Shang Changge didn't mind at all and warmly invited, "I didn't expect General Xiao to attend tonight's poetry gathering."

Would you like to sit with me? My seat is spacious.

It was eerily quiet, even quieter and more terrifying than when Xiao Jigang first appeared.

Everyone was already terrified by Xiao Ji's sudden appearance, and Shang Changge's even more sudden and enthusiastic invitation to Xiao Ji made them even more frightened.

What is the princess doing?! What is she doing?!

What does it mean to ask if someone wants to sit together? Is that something that can be asked?

Is this something that can be said so openly and without any hesitation in front of so many people?

Xiao Ji was also somewhat surprised.

He prided himself on his ability to see through people's hearts, and naturally he could see the princess's unadulterated enthusiasm for him.

It is precisely because it is so clear that it remains a mystery; for the past six years,

Whether it's people who are close to him, those who hate him, those who distance themselves from him, or those who keep their distance and don't associate with him, it doesn't matter.

They all had a hint of fear and wariness towards him in their eyes; the princess was truly the first one to act like this today.

even,

The princess's enthusiasm was a little excessive, like a dog's eyes lighting up at the sight of meat.

Xiao Ji did not answer, and the atmosphere became increasingly awkward.

Shang Changge finally realized how easily her words could be misunderstood, and coughed lightly to correct herself.

"What I mean is that my pavilion is the largest. If General Xiao doesn't mind, you can sit there with me."

This makes it convenient for everyone, whether they are composing poems, exchanging verses, or simply having a conversation.

Everyone suddenly realized!

"I see, so that's what the princess meant..."

"I knew it! How could a princess possibly be..."

Then came another round of voices, hushed to the lowest possible volume, but they only managed to get the words out before stopping.

However, it is not difficult to discern from these few words the fear and subtle prejudice these people hold towards Xiao Ji.

Xiao Ji, being a martial artist, had better hearing than the average person, and he heard everything.

She remained expressionless and politely declined Shang Changge's invitation.

"Thank you for your kindness, Princess, but I am afraid that my fierce aura might offend you."

He didn't know, nor was he interested in, the source of the princess's enthusiasm for him.

If it weren't for the inescapable command of the emperor, he wouldn't be here tonight.

Such poetry gatherings are usually occasions for talented young men and women of marriageable age to get together under a nice-sounding pretext.

He has no intention of getting married and having children; coming here would only be a waste of his time and energy.

That is incorrect.

A casual remark drew everyone's attention to Shang Changge, including Xiao Ji.

Shang Changge: "General, you led your troops to kill the enemy and brought peace to the border. How can you say that you have a murderous aura?"

No one whispered anymore; the evening breeze, carrying the heat of the day, swept by.

The rows of lanterns lit up by the restaurant swayed, and the shadows of the trees rippled on the lake.

Under the cover of night,

Xiao Ji narrowed his eyes slightly, scrutinizing the eldest princess of their Qingyan Dynasty for the first time.

Shang Changge didn't care about such scrutiny and continued to say what she wanted to say:

"If soldiers who fight bloody battles are still criticized by the people of this dynasty, then the people are the ones who are wrong, not them."

Xiao Ji's eyes darkened in that instant as he calmly gazed at Shang Changge.

Shang Changge: "Merit is merit, and glory is glory. It is earned by soldiers who risked their lives to fight for it."

There's no need to belittle yourself because of the ignorance of others; you are not wrong.

She learned from the original owner's memories that Xiao Ji was not the only one feared by the world.

Any soldier who participated in that massacre was feared and ostracized by the world.

It's normal for ordinary people to be afraid; we're all just ordinary people, who wouldn't be?

But such fear should be reverence rather than dread, or even prejudice and rejection.

The massacre was not a bloodbath for the sake of killing, but rather a result of the circumstances. The people knew the reasons behind it.

It is unfair and disheartening to continue to view those who participated with prejudice and rejection.

"What the princess says makes sense."

Yun Luobai stepped forward, bowed to Xiao Ji with remorse, and said:

"Previously, I misunderstood the General and offended him greatly."

"Tonight, after hearing the princess's words, I have finally awakened from my dream. I, your humble servant, apologize to the general."

Although Yun Xiangrong hosted tonight's poetry gathering, Yun Luobai was the one who truly controlled the entire event.

Since Yun Luobai had said so, the others followed suit and apologized to Xiao Ji.

Shang Changge did not stop there and conceal his achievements, but patiently waited for these people to finish apologizing before looking at Xiao Ji.

The invitation was extended again, and under the bright moonlight, the beauty's smile was even more breathtaking.

"General Xiao, would you like to sit with me?"

This time, Xiao Ji did not refuse, and said in a deep voice, "Okay."